Diversification towards vegetable farming in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In Himachal Pradesh, agriculture is a very crucial part of the state’s economy as it is the main occupation of people. The area under vegetable crops has witnessed rapid increase in recent years. High- value crops like vegetables can potentially increase farmer’s income as demand for high-value food products is increasing more quickly than that of the cereal crops. The present study deals with growth performance of major crops examined in Kangra District and Nagrota Bagwan block of Himachal Pradesh. Growth was analysed in terms of compound annual growth rate in area, production and productivity of major crops, which was carried out for the period 2007-08 to 2016-17. The study revealed that there has been an increase in area and production of vegetables in Kangra District and Nagrota Bagwan block. Per cent change in area of Nagrota Bagwan block and Kangra district were estimated over the period. A negative change in area was noted in crops except vegetable. The per cent increase in vegetable area over 2007-08 during 2016-17 was 176 and 223 per cent, respectively. Highest positive per cent change in production was estimated in vegetables over time. Per cent change in productivity for different crops of Nagrota Bagwan block showed an increasing trend for pulses and vegetable crops. There was no definite trend observed in wheat, maize and paddy.